Egg-tester



2 Sheets- Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

K. HAINZ a J. MACHEK.

EGG TESTER.

Patented Oct. 29,1895.-

IIN DREW ESRANM. PHOTOUTHQWASHINHUN. l@

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented 001;.29,1895. t ll BGG TESTER.

fq'yf.

K. HAINZ su J. MACHBK- (No Model.)

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` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KAREL HAINZAND JAMES MACHEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EGG-TESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,803, dated. October 29, 1895.

applicati@ filed March 29,1895.

'o all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that we, KAREL HAINZ and JAMES MACHEK, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Egg-Testers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in- In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of a device embodying the improved features; Fig. 2, a similar view taken at right angles with reference to Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a plan -of the under side of the testing-tray; Fig. 4, a

transverse section of the testing-tray on line 4, Fig. 3, in a reversed position; and Fig. 5, a broken-away sectional detail of the testingtray structure.

A is a box-receptacle inclosing the testingchamber B, in which is movably located a cell testing-tray C. To opposite sides of this tray, Figs. 2 and 3, are connected vertical bars da, which fit into and are adapted to have a vertical sliding movement between stationary upright guide-bars a a', located opposite each other and supported out of contact with the inclosing sides of the box-receptacle, so as to provide a space a2 back of the guide-bars. The upper ends of the bars a a are connected by a cross-bar a3, through the longitudinal center of which is inserted an eyebolt a4, having one end of a cord a5 connected thereto. This cord runs up to and down over a sheave D, journaled in the top of an upright frame D', extending upwardly from and supported on one side of the box-receptacle. To the opposite endof cord a5 is attached a counterweight a6.

The testing-tray() is provided with a number of cells or openings b therein, which are large enough to permit of the eggs passing Serial No. 543,656. (No model.)

therethrough. On the under side of this celltray and at opposite sides, Fig. 3, are placed horizontal companion bars b b', which are connected by a number of wires or rods b2, extending across below the bottom of the tray. The ends of some ot' these wires stop short in the bars b', while others extend into grooves b3 (indicated by dotted lines) in the two sides b4 of the tray, and in that manner areloosely supported with reference thereto and adapted to have an endwise movement. The wires b2 are connected and stiiened by two transverse strips b5. It will be noted that when the wires b2 are in their normal position,as illustrated in Fig. 3, they extend across the egg- `openings at one side of` the center and prevent the eggs h6 from dropping through, as shown in'Figs. 2 and 3.

A number of springs 0l (four in this instance) are recessed in the testing-tray, Fig. 5, from the under side. The lower ends ot' these springs bear on the head end of a bolt d', loosely retained in place by a cleat d2. The projecting end of the bolt or bolts d is screw-threaded and each pair connected by a rigid bar d3. A bolt d4 passes up through one of the bars d3 near its longitudinal center and is inserted in the under side of the cell testing-tray. p

A locking-lever E is pivoted to a lug d5, secured to and projecting downwardly from the testing-tray. One end of this leveris mounted on the bolt d4, the opposite end being provided with a catch g, detachably engaging with one of the wires b2, as shown in Fig. 4. A spring g is coiled on bolt d4 between the locking-lever and the bottom of the tray.

A case F is supported in position at one side of the box-receptacle. Alamp gzis seated in the case and throws light into the box-receptacle under the testing-tray through a transparent opening g3. A number of redectors or mirrors g4 are secured to the interior walls ot' the receptacle and aid in increasing the intensity of the light.

A gas-burner, an electric-light, or other suitable arrangement may be provided as a substitute for the lamp.

The testing-tray is retained in its normal po- ICO ceptacle. A handle-rod 96 connects with this spring and projects through to the outside and provides'a hand-graspV for retarding the spring when the tray is lowered. Normally the spring remains in the supporting position shown, the tray on the up movement automatically forcing it outwardly until it has passed by, when the spring returns to its place. The counterpoise nearly balances the tray, so that the spring has but little weight to support.

Ashipping-case G is located underneath the boxreceptacle in line with the testingtray 'and receives the eggs therefrom as they are tested.

In practice the testing-tray is filled with eggs introduced through the upper end of the receptacle, which are inspected by looking down from the top. The tray and contents are then lowered by a slight pull on the rod g6 and the connecting weight-cord into the shipping-case, the companion bars d3 coming in contact with and resting on top of the edges of the upper or empty tray, the series of springsbreaking theconcussion. Atthesame time the pressure of contact on the bar d3, bearing against the locking-lever E, forces the spring end of said lever upwardly and disengages the opposite end, locking the Wires, when the weight of the eggs against the wires will force them over to one side, together with the horizontal-bar connections h', and drop them into the tray 7L in the shipping-case. On the up movement the rounded lend h of one of the strips b5 comes in contact with the beveled lug h2, Fig. 2, secured to the inside of the box-receptacle, and forces the series of wires back to their normal position to retain the next lot of eggs in the tray until inspected. The spring' g automatically returns the lever E to its locking position. By this arrangement a full tray of eggs-thirtysixare tested at once and then all deposited in the shipping-case in bulk.

Having thus described our invention, what 'we claim as new, and desire to secure by Let- 1. In an egg tester, the combination with a box-receptacle, of a testingtray, provided with a number of cells or openings and adapted to have a vertical movement in said receptacle, the horizontal companion bars, having an endwise movement, a number of wires at right angles thereto connecting said bars and extending across the bottom of the cell openings, and the transverse strips, connecting the series of wires, substantially as described.

2. A cell-testing-tray, provided with a number of springs, recessed in the under side thereof,the bolts,havingtheir head-ends bearing against said springs, a cleat, loosely retaining the bolts in place, and the bars, connecting the projecting threaded ends of said bolts, substantially as described.

3. A cell testing-tray, provided with alcoliing lever, pivoted to the under side thereof, the series of Wires, the bar d3, a bolt, extending up through said bar and inserted in the under side of said tray, and a spring, coiled on said bolt, substantially as described.

4. In an egg-tester, the combination with a box-receptacle, of a testing-tray, inclosed therein, the companion endwise moving bars, the series of wires, connecting said bars, the strips b5, connecting said wires, and a beveled lug, secured to the interior wall of said receptacle with which the rounded end of one of said strips is adapted to have contact with on the up-movement of said tray and return said wires to their normal position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we afx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

KAREL HAINZ. JAMES MACHEK. Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

